The 2026 Women's T20 Asia Cup will be held in Dubai for the first time, with eight teams set to compete. Sri Lanka will look to retain the title they won in 2024, while favourites India will aim to reclaim the trophy in a competition that also includes Pakistan, Bangladesh and four Associate teams.
When is the tournament starting?
The tournament will be held from August 28 to September 13, with all the matches taking place in Dubai, UAE. There will be a total of 15 matches: 12 group games, two semi-finals and a final. The group-stage games will be held till September 8, with a match every day. The semi-finals will be played on September 10 and 11, and the final on September 13.
Which team is in what group?
India, Pakistan, Hong Kong, and Thailand are in Group A, while Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, UAE and Indonesia are in Group B. Each team will play the others in their group once, with the top two qualifying for the semi-finals. This will be the second edition comprising eight teams. In 2022, the tournament was expanded to seven teams, and in 2024, one more team was added.
How did the Associate teams qualify?
All four Associate teams - Indonesia, Hong Kong, Thailand and UAE - earned their places via the 2026 Women's Premier Cup. In the 18-team tournament, they topped their respective groups and then won their quarter-finals to make the cut. For Indonesia, it will be their first appearance at an Asia Cup, while Hong Kong return for the first time since 2012.
Who are the past winners?
India have dominated the tournament, winning three of the five T20 editions held so far. On the other two occasions, they were the runners-up, losing to Bangladesh in 2018 and Sri Lanka in 2024.
What are the key fixtures?
India and Pakistan meet on September 5 - India have won 14 of the 17 T20I meetings between the two sides. The following day, defending champions Sri Lanka will face Bangladesh in another key match, though this contest has also been one-sided. Sri Lanka have beaten Bangladesh 13 out of 16 times in this format.
Any newcomers, or lesser-known players, to watch out for?
Sri Lanka's Sanjana Kavindi is only 17 and two T20Is into her international career, but she made an immediate impression on her debut against Pakistan earlier this month, scoring 46 off 24 to help her side chase 176. Her fearless batting from No. 3 earned her a place in the Asia Cup squad.
Pakistan's Eyman Fatima has emerged as one the most exciting young players. She announced herself with an unbeaten 79 off 43 against Zimbabwe in May and has since become a regular in Pakistan's T20I side. Her ability to score quickly makes her an exciting middle-order batter.
Mariko Hill is Hong Kong's leading run-scorer and an experienced allrounder who brings plenty of pedigree to the side's Asia Cup return. She has scored 2223 runs in 100 innings, including two hundreds and eight half-centuries, and has taken 47 wickets with her medium pace. Hill has featured in the FairBreak Invitational T20 and has played for Northern Diamonds in the UK.
Marina Lamplough, another Hong Kong allrounder, brings experience from New Zealand's domestic circuit, having played for Northern Districts and Otago in the Super Smash. Recently, she made a notable contribution in the Premier Cup, taking 2 for 11 against Japan in the quarter-final.
Who are the title contenders?
India enter the tournament as favourites, though more on reputation than recent form. They have lost nine of their 16 T20Is this year, but their depth makes them the side to beat. Sri Lanka could give them a tough fight. They have ten wins and three losses this year. They beat West Indies 2-1, whitewashed Bangladesh 3-0 and outplayed Pakistan 2-1.
What about Pakistan and Bangladesh?
Pakistan come into the tournament after two successive series defeats, against West Indies and Sri Lanka. They lost four out of their five matches at the T20 World Cup in June after going down to South Africa in February. All that leaves them with plenty to address. Bangladesh have blown hot and cold in T20Is this year. They won all seven matches at the T20 World Cup Qualifier but have since lost eight of the next 12 games.